Chapter 272: Who Is He
Inside North Brother Island's laboratory, Batman observed Dr. Banner vigilantly:
"You have experience?"
"Naturally!" Dr. Banner nodded matter-of-factly. "During my time escaping General Ross's pursuit, I conducted experiments using my own blood."
"Actually, not just blood. My bodily fluids, hair, body tissue—all possess capabilities similar to Lizard Professor's, transforming other creatures into gamma creatures."
Hearing Banner had conducted experiments, Batman relaxed his vigilance somewhat.
Since the three scientists arrived at North Brother Island over a month ago, Batman had secretly collected some body tissue and hair samples from all three, conducting experimental analysis.
Batman had naturally discovered Dr. Banner's body cells contained gamma inhibitors. Once separated from his body, they'd rapidly lose gamma radiation characteristics.
Sure enough, Dr. Banner hadn't concealed anything from Batman. His next statement directly addressed this matter:
"Initially I remained completely unaware. Until a mosquito drank my blood, transforming to finger-size—then I specifically created one special gamma inhibitor, injecting it into my body daily without fail."
"Inhibitors can't prevent me transforming into Hulk. But they effectively prevent my separated body tissue triggering mutations in other creatures."
"Incidentally, this also prevents individuals like General Ross from capturing me, collecting my cells for research. They'd have to transport me entirely to laboratories—by then Hulk would act."
Since arriving at North Brother Island, Dr. Banner had never mentioned this matter to Batman or the other three scientists.
But now—speaking openly—represented Dr. Banner completely trusting Batman. Both parties were no longer North Brother Island's dry cooperative relationship, but allies.
"But Lizard Professor's condition might differ from yours." Batman noticed their relationship's transformation. But he didn't continue chatting—instead redirecting the topic toward Lizard Professor.
"Leave it to me." Dr. Banner smiled confidently.
Batman observed Dr. Banner. After prolonged silence, he produced one word:
"Alright."
Batman didn't depart North Brother Island's laboratory. After leaving Lizard Professor to Banner's handling, Batman carried unconscious Norman Osborn toward the laboratory's opposite side.
"Dr. Octavius." Batman called.
Not far away—both hands plus four mechanical tentacles simultaneously frantically busy—Dr. Octavius heard Batman calling him.
Without requiring additional words, Octavius immediately understood Batman's thinking. One mechanical tentacle gripped the ankle monitor created through combined forces of the island's four scientists, handing it over.
CLICK—Batman accepted the ankle monitor, placing it on Norman Osborn's lower leg.
BEEP BEEP.
The ankle monitor produced sounds. Detecting it had been worn, it illuminated green lights. Self-locking mechanisms immediately activated—making it unopenable by under 500 kilograms force.
Once the ankle monitor opened, it meant either Norman Osborn had re-transformed into Green Goblin, or he harbored dangerous thoughts.
By then, Batman wouldn't hesitate—mercilessly confining Norman Osborn into Bat Island's secure detention area.
But at minimum, current Norman Osborn had passed Batman's assessment. Batman was willing believing he'd genuinely reverted to normal human.
Batman couldn't confine Norman Osborn forever. New York police contained nobody earning Batman's trust. Even re-sending Norman Osborn to prison, Batman suspected prison authorities would unauthorized open this ankle monitor.
Under combined circumstances, Batman decided allowing Norman Osborn returning to human society—using ankle monitors restricting his freedom and privacy, conducting years-long continuous supervision.
Single-handedly carrying Norman Osborn, only then did Batman depart North Brother Island, traveling all the way to Oscorp Tower's rooftop platform.
SLAP!
One hand-chop strike—unconscious Norman Osborn suddenly awakened. Seeing Batman, he startled. But quickly reacted:
"I—where am I currently?"
"At Oscorp Tower." Batman's voice carried zero emotional content.
WHOOSH—
Norman Osborn sighed with relief.
He remembered Batman telling him: if he passed Batman's observations, confirming no problems, he'd be returned to human society.
Currently, since both parties had arrived at Oscorp Tower, this should indicate Norman Osborn was fine.
"Your leg has been fitted with a restraint by me." Batman observed Norman Osborn. "I'm releasing you back to human society. But I hope you understand something."
"What?" Norman Osborn rapidly bent down, rolling up his pant leg, observing that green-light-flashing ankle monitor. "Understand what?"
Batman observed Norman Osborn's reactions after discovering the ankle monitor—once again confirming his brief panic, bewilderment, and other emotions all represented ordinary human responses:
"The restraint is waterproof, fireproof, corrosion-resistant. Cannot be opened by conventional means."
"It collects your body data daily, transmitting it to me. Once the restraint opens, gets destroyed, or signals get blocked—"
"I'll re-classify you as threat, confining you underground."
Batman didn't explicitly state "confining to Bat Island's detention area." He was misleading Norman Osborn.
In Norman Osborn's eyes, Batman wasn't human whatsoever. What human would have a son growing tentacles, have strange green giant companions, have enormous lizards occupying his island?
Currently hearing Batman mention underground confinement, Norman Osborn couldn't restrain shuddering, rapidly stating:
"No—I promise not doing anything to it."
"I don't need your promises." Batman slowly shook his head.
"Then what do you want..." Norman Osborn's heart raised ominous premonitions.
"I need you knowing what you did. Thereby understanding why I classified you as threat." Batman said.
---
Daylight arrived.
Garrett decided attempting one final time searching for Batman's traces. If this attempt failed again, he'd immediately shift targets—seeking Tony Stark's personal bodyguard, the armor-wearing "Iron Man."
Fortunately, though Batman couldn't be found, finding another ordinary small reporter posed no significant problems for Garrett.
Wearing baseball cap, face behind sunglasses, Garrett entered one McDonald's not far from Metropolitan General Hospital. At the most-cornered position, he found whom he sought—directly sitting opposite that individual while speaking:
"Hello, Mr. Eddie Brock."
"I'm hired by New York Police—"
His self-introduction couldn't finish before being angrily interrupted by Eddie Brock:
"You're here about Batman appearing at Rikers Island one week ago, correct?"
Garrett observed bewilderedly—eyes wide, staring at him—Eddie Brock. Only observing this small reporter angrily slapping the table:
"Two days ago, someone exactly like you used identical rhetoric!"
"He promised repeatedly finding Batman, letting me vent my hatred!"
"If you're his partner, you'd better tell me—where is he now? Where's Batman?"
Eddie Brock's voice showed zero concealment—drawing many other McDonald's customers' dissatisfied glances. Servers even rapidly approached Eddie Brock's side:
"Sir, please maintain quiet. Otherwise I must request you leaving here."
Eddie Brock turned angry gaze toward the server—frightening them into involuntary backward steps:
"You want kicking me out? I paid! I have rights enjoying my food!"
Garrett sat opposite Eddie Brock. He didn't acknowledge Eddie's argument with the server. Instead frowning while contemplating one matter:
"Beyond me, who else is simultaneously inquiring about Batman's information?"